Methodology of comparative studies on the relative effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: a systematic review.

Background: This study aimed to comprehensively outline the methodological approaches used in published research comparing the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on June 13, 2024, to identify comparative studies evaluating the effectiveness of mRNA versus non-mRNA and monovalent versus bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. We screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, collecting data on publication year, country, sample size, study population composition, study design, VE estimates, outcomes, and covariates.

Fucoidan Extracted from Hijiki Protects Brain Microvessel Endothelial Cells Against Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure-Induced Disruption.

This study was performed to evaluate the protective effects of fucoidan against the decreased function of primary cultured bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells (BBMECs) after exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). BBMECs were extracted from bovine brains and cultured until confluent. To evaluate the function of BBMECs, we performed a permeability test using cell-by-cell equipment and by Western blot analysis for zonular occludens-1 (ZO-1), which is a tight junction protein of BMECs, and evaluated oxidative stress in BBMECs using the DCFH-DA assay and the CUPRAC-BCS assay.

Differences in circulating dendritic cell subtypes in pregnant women, cord blood and healthy adult women.

Different subtypes of dendritic cells (DC) influence the differentiation of naíve T lymphocytes into T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 effector cells. We evaluated the percentages of DC subtypes in peripheral blood from pregnant women (maternal blood) and their cord blood compared to the peripheral blood of healthy non pregnant women (control). Circulating DC were identified by flow cytometry as lineage (CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD20, and CD56)-negative and HLA-DR-positive cells.

The meaning of suffering in families: a humanbecoming perspective.

The authors of this article present the findings of a study about the experience of suffering for 2 families from South Korea with relatives living with chronic mental illness, using the humanbecoming nursing perspective. The central findings of this qualitative descriptive-exploratory study showed that suffering in families with relatives living with mental chronic illness is agonizing trepidation amid calm invigoration, as confident relinquishing of the expected arises with liberating diverse affiliations. The findings are discussed in relation to the themes of the humanbecoming school of thought and related literature.

[Evaluation of performance and false positivity of Mediace RPR test that uses a chemistry autoanalyzer].

Background: We evaluated the performance and false positive rate of Mediace RPR test (Sekisui, Japan), a newly introduced nontreponemal test using a chemistry autoanalyzer.

Methods: The sensitivity of Mediace RPR test was analyzed using sera from 50 patients with syphilis in different stages (8 primary, 7 secondary, and 35 latent), 14 sera positive with fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) IgM, and 74 sera positive with conventional rapid plasma regain (RPR) card test (Asan, Korea) and also positive with Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test or FTA-ABS IgG test. The specificity was analyzed on 108 healthy blood donors.

[Current status of external quality assessment of syphilis test in Korea].

Background: Current status of external quality assessment (EQA) of laboratory tests for syphilis in Korea was analyzed to find out the problems that should be improved in the future.

Methods: Based on the data from the external quality assessment program performed twice a year by the Immunoserology Subcommittee of the Korean Association of Quality Assurance for Clinical Laboratory from the year 2004 to 2006, discordance rates were analyzed according to the test method and commercial kit used.

Results: Among the laboratories participating in the EQA program for syphilis test, about 90% of them used non-treponemal tests and about 55% treponemal tests.

Effect of immobilized cell-binding peptides on chitosan membranes for osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Two cell-binding domains from FGF-2 (fibroblast growth factor-2) were shown to increase cell attachment and osteoblastic differentiation. Two synthetic peptides derived from FGF-2, namely residues 36-41 (F36; PDGRVD) and 77-83 (F77; KEDGRLL), were prepared and their N-termini further modified for ease of surface immobilization. Chitosan membranes were used in the present study as mechanical supportive biomaterials for peptide immobilization.

Comparison of VERSANT Hepatitis B virus DNA 3.0 Assay with Digene Hybrid Capture II Hepatitis B virus DNA test in relation to clinical status of Hepatitis B virus.

Background: Some differences exist among various Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA quantification assays due to lack of standardization and besides clinical usefulness has not been firmly elucidated in Korean HBV patients.

Methods: We compared Bayer VERSANT HBV DNA 3.0 Assay (VERSANT 3.

Characterization of the surface immobilized synthetic heparin binding domain derived from human fibroblast growth factor-2 and its effect on osteoblast differentiation.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 regulates a variety of cellular functions, such as proliferation and differentiation, by binding to cell surface FGF receptors (FGFRs) in the presence of heparin proteoglycans. FGF-2 is known as a heparin-binding growth factor, but the localization of the heparin binding site has not been fully investigated until now. We used two potential heparin binding domains of FGF-2, the residues 105-111 (F105, YKRSRYT) and 119-135 (F119, KRTGQYKLGSKTGPGQK).

[Family experiences of living with chronic schizophrenic patients - application of Parse's human becoming research methodology].

Purpose: This study was aimed at understanding the nature of the suffering of families with patients in mental health nursing homes and hoped to contribute to the rehabilitation process of those with a chronic mental disorder.

Method: Research methodology was based upon Parse's human becoming research methodology.

Results: a) Despite the despair the family feels by the violence caused by their now-institutionalized relative, they also realize anew the importance of their role as protectors b) Although they fear social stigmatization they also try to be supportive, out of guilt feelings; c) They regret their severe rearing style and wish to be more sympathetic, d) They find courage and hope through family therapy, which leads to a better understanding of the illness, e) With hopes of rehabilitation, the family members feel happy and go through an emotional release, by sharing the pain with each other.